“Aryna Sabalenka reveals room for improvement before the match against Rybakina.”

Aryna Sabalenka is set to face Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals of the Miami Open, in a clash that promises to be another electrifying spectacle. The two players previously had a memorable encounter in California a few weeks ago, and now they hope to delight the Miami crowd with another high-level display. The current world number one secured her spot in this stage by defeating local favorite Hailey Baptiste with a convincing 6-4, 6-4. Baptiste, who was competing in her first WTA 1000 quarter-final, could not withstand the pressure from the experienced Sabalenka, who dominated the match, especially after winning three consecutive games in the first set.

“She played incredible tennis. She really challenged me. The pace and intensity of her shots are spectacular,” Sabalenka said to Tennis Channel, praising her opponent. “I’m super happy that I managed to handle the pressure and secure the win.” Despite her enthusiasm for her performance, the Belarusian player was cautious in evaluating her display. “I would say I’m playing around an 8. I always leave room for improvement. There are some things that didn’t work exactly as I wanted, but overall, I’m very happy.”

The pre-match tension is a constant in the world of tennis, and Sabalenka is no exception. With a methodical approach, she maintains strict routines before each match, regardless of the stage of the tournament. “No, I like to keep everything the same. I think that’s really important,” she said. “I try not to pay attention to the round—whether it’s the first or the final, I treat it the same way. If you start changing your routine at the end of a tournament, that’s when you can lose focus on what really matters.”

Although this routine has worked for her so far, the butterflies in her stomach remain part of the process. “I think everyone gets nervous—that’s just part of the process,” she admitted. “With experience, I’ve learned to shift my focus from the emotions to the game plan. That has been a big improvement for me over the years.”

The rivalry with Rybakina has become increasingly interesting. Following in the footsteps of figures like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on the ATP Tour, the women’s circuit finally has a fierce competition between two top players, while others struggle to keep up with this pace. Sabalenka, who has previously lost finals against the Kazakh at the WTA Finals and the Australian Open, managed to turn the tables in the final at Indian Wells, surviving a match point.

“I love this. I really do,” Sabalenka confirmed about the rivalry. “When someone takes you to the limit, that’s when you grow, become a better player, and truly test your level and your strength.” Now, for the third time in 2026 and for the second time during the Sunshine Swing, the two rivals will meet on court, with the winner securing a place in the final against Coco Gauff or Karolina Muchova.

“We’ve played a lot of matches recently, and they have all been battles—real showcases. I’m super excited to face her again and can’t wait to get on the court,” Sabalenka said. With the determination to learn from past mistakes, she is ready to make adjustments. “There are a few things I need to do a little better,” she added. “We’ll train tomorrow and talk with my coach about tactics. There’s always something you can learn from a match, whether you win or lose. It’s important to understand what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to be improved—this is how we approach it.”

This article first appeared on Apito Final.